Patients-not just Images
Devoted to Education and Practice in Patient-centered Radiology
Chairman's Corner
Chairman's Corner
The Trimurti
The Trimurti
Ravi Ramakantan
Ravi Ramakantan
A recent e mail communication with two of the three nudged me on to this essay.
A recent e mail communication with two of the three nudged me on to this essay.
But I wonder…
But I wonder…
How is that I have not told the world about them in these 40 years... a story that needs to be told for generations to come - to read, ponder and 'learn'.
How is that I have not told the world about them in these 40 years... a story that needs to be told for generations to come - to read, ponder and 'learn'.
For, I am - because they were and still are.
For, I am - because they were and still are.
I am talking about my very first teachers in radiology, the ones I met on that fateful day in 1978 - the day I joined the famed residency program in radiology at the Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital in Mumbai . The Trimurti of Dr. Malini Nadkarni, Dr. Dara Kooka and Dr. Madhav Kelkar. But none was, like in the traditional trimurti, destructive.
I am talking about my very first teachers in radiology, the ones I met on that fateful day in 1978 - the day I joined the famed residency program in radiology at the Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital in Mumbai . The Trimurti of Dr. Malini Nadkarni, Dr. Dara Kooka and Dr. Madhav Kelkar. But none was, like in the traditional trimurti, destructive.
There was nothing common to the three of them; but they were the same – inspiring teachers and exceptional role models. And hence, I will write of them as one.
There was nothing common to the three of them; but they were the same – inspiring teachers and exceptional role models. And hence, I will write of them as one.
A young.. 20 odd year old.. in any medical postgraduate course is a nervous wreck. He has no idea of what is ahead. Unending hours of work, the bottom most in the firing line and the one to finally execute all the gaddha majoori (donkey work). If anything went wrong - even it be unexpected rain on the sunny morning, the poor resident has had it.
A young.. 20 odd year old.. in any medical postgraduate course is a nervous wreck. He has no idea of what is ahead. Unending hours of work, the bottom most in the firing line and the one to finally execute all the gaddha majoori (donkey work). If anything went wrong - even it be unexpected rain on the sunny morning, the poor resident has had it.
This was a historic truth.. the ‘truth’ I had heard and seen as I stepped into the department on Day 1.
This was a historic truth.. the ‘truth’ I had heard and seen as I stepped into the department on Day 1.
But, this department was not – one of them. In the first days, weeks and months , I began to realise how different it can be, This department was surely nowhere near the stereotype.
But, this department was not – one of them. In the first days, weeks and months , I began to realise how different it can be, This department was surely nowhere near the stereotype.
Even the new bacchu (small child) resident was made to feel important, knowledgeable and an essential part of this extended family that this department was run as. The credit for much of this ambience would surely go to the Chief, Dr. Malini Nadkarni. She must have been turning a sweet 40 at that time, a warrior for radiology at KEM for decades, she had seen it all and, virtually single handedly, built the department from almost nothing.
Even the new bacchu (small child) resident was made to feel important, knowledgeable and an essential part of this extended family that this department was run as. The credit for much of this ambience would surely go to the Chief, Dr. Malini Nadkarni. She must have been turning a sweet 40 at that time, a warrior for radiology at KEM for decades, she had seen it all and, virtually single handedly, built the department from almost nothing.
She set the tone of benevolent dictatorship in the department. I chose to use the latter word, since she would tolerate no nonsense as far as patient care was concerned. She got things done from us without raising her voice or wielding a stick. Looking back, after being a head of radiology myself, for close to 3 decades, I admire how she had mastered this art.
She set the tone of benevolent dictatorship in the department. I chose to use the latter word, since she would tolerate no nonsense as far as patient care was concerned. She got things done from us without raising her voice or wielding a stick. Looking back, after being a head of radiology myself, for close to 3 decades, I admire how she had mastered this art.
She was ‘encouragement personified’. That set the tone for the atmosphere in the department. With such encouragement – attitudes turn positive and initiative and enthusiasm grow and eventually patient care improves.
She was ‘encouragement personified’. That set the tone for the atmosphere in the department. With such encouragement – attitudes turn positive and initiative and enthusiasm grow and eventually patient care improves.
She was the fountainhead of all good that the department did.
She was the fountainhead of all good that the department did.
Dr. Madhav Kelkar was a doer. A cardiovascular surgeon turned vascular radiologist, he taught little; but what he showed were masterpieces of skill in invasive radiology. He taught us how to ‘give freely. share knowledge and skills without holding anything back. He encouraged us to explore new areas in invasive radiology. Unfortunately, rather early in life, death snatched him away from us.
Dr. Madhav Kelkar was a doer. A cardiovascular surgeon turned vascular radiologist, he taught little; but what he showed were masterpieces of skill in invasive radiology. He taught us how to ‘give freely. share knowledge and skills without holding anything back. He encouraged us to explore new areas in invasive radiology. Unfortunately, rather early in life, death snatched him away from us.
And, finally Dr. Dara Kooka. The youngest of the Trimurti – career vascular and interventional radiologist.
And, finally Dr. Dara Kooka. The youngest of the Trimurti – career vascular and interventional radiologist.
Like for scores of other residents, he has had a profound influence on rme. His overarching presence builds on one and the true meaning of being a doctor – caring for the patient and respect for everyone around seeps into all around him. That is how he treated even the junior most resident - a rarity in any medical training program in our country. There is no telling what sort of effect such treatment has – one is certain – it encourages every resident to give her best and to pass on the lessons in courtesy and caring for generations to come. I have imbibed all of this from him. He literally hand held us through the art and science of diagnostic radiology- encouraging us to find answers rather that chiding us for not knowing them. In this way, we learnt to keep digging deeper.
Like for scores of other residents, he has had a profound influence on rme. His overarching presence builds on one and the true meaning of being a doctor – caring for the patient and respect for everyone around seeps into all around him. That is how he treated even the junior most resident - a rarity in any medical training program in our country. There is no telling what sort of effect such treatment has – one is certain – it encourages every resident to give her best and to pass on the lessons in courtesy and caring for generations to come. I have imbibed all of this from him. He literally hand held us through the art and science of diagnostic radiology- encouraging us to find answers rather that chiding us for not knowing them. In this way, we learnt to keep digging deeper.
His skill at vascular and interventional radiology rubbed off on all who watched and learned from him and I owe him all credit for all I could in this subspecialty of radiology.
His skill at vascular and interventional radiology rubbed off on all who watched and learned from him and I owe him all credit for all I could in this subspecialty of radiology.
If all that I have said above sounds like a fairy tale with a happy ending .. it really is.
If all that I have said above sounds like a fairy tale with a happy ending .. it really is.
Generations of postgraduate radiology residents at KEM were fortunate to have been touched by the graceful leadership, tutorship and role modelling of the Trinity. These 'saplings' are now spread all over the world telling stories of this unique stable they come from.
Generations of postgraduate radiology residents at KEM were fortunate to have been touched by the graceful leadership, tutorship and role modelling of the Trinity. These 'saplings' are now spread all over the world telling stories of this unique stable they come from.
I am one such of the very lucky ones – I could not have asked for more in my professional life.
I am one such of the very lucky ones – I could not have asked for more in my professional life.
June 2020
June 2020